Before designing an intervention program for a child with autism, it's important to understand his or her individual differences. Interventions will be very different for children with autism, even though each shares a diagnosis of autism.

Levels of Intelligence

Children with autism show intelligence levels that can range from significantly below average (mental retardation) to average to well above average (gifted). Some children are considered to be high functioning which means that they have (or potentially have) thinking/cognitive skills that are above the mental retardation level.

Symptom Severity

When professionals describe levels of autism or related disorders, they often use the terms mild, moderate or severe.

These terms relate to the symptoms of autism ncluded in the three circles (social deficits, communication skills and restrictive and repetitive behaviors). These terms do not relate to how bright or intelligent a child might be. Individuals with autism have symptoms that can range from mild to very severe.

Children who have symptoms that are substantial enough to warrant a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder will require intervention, regardless of how mild or severe the symptoms. A diagnosis of autism indicates a need for intervention in order to allow a child to function effectively and happily in his or her community.

The severity of a child's symptoms does not necessarily correspond to the severity of his or her intellectual deficits. For example, a child with moderate to severe symptoms does not necessarily have mental retardation.

Intra-Individual Differences

Children with autism might exhibit mild, moderate or severe symptoms in all three areas (social, communication and behavior). The three circles representing the symptoms of autism are relatively independent. This means a child may have mild symptoms in one area and relatively severe symptoms in another area. In addition, a child may have significant strengths that are not part of the three circles.

For example, a six-year-old child might have communication skills that are similar to what would be expected of a three-year-old child and the ability to do math problems at a second or third grade level. Some children with autism are able to read words at a young age, despite significant communication and language problems. Other children may have significant problems but seem "bright" to the people who know them well.

Back to What is Autism?